Next-Generation Prince to Head Saudi Security

By

Ellen Knickmeyer

Updated Nov. 5, 2012 6:55 p.m. ET

Saudi Arabia's king put the country's internal security in the charge of a royal nephew highly regarded by Western security officials for his role in cracking down on al Qaeda inside and outside the kingdom.

The appointment of 53-year-old Mohammed bin Nayef as interior minister also marks one of the first ascensions of the next generation of Saudi princes to one of the most senior offices in the kingdom, and underscores the growing...